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ANGEL STADIUM
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ANAHEIM, CA
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Although it is over
four decades old and its look has changed several times, Angel
Stadium is the home to one of the best teams and most powerful lineups in the American League with stars such has Josh Hamilton, Albert
Pujols and Mike Trout. The history of the Angels dates back to 1960 when Gene Autry founded the team.
During their first year of existance
the Angels play at
Los Angeles’ Wrigley Field in 1961. After the Los Angeles
Dodgers constructed Dodger Stadium in 1962, the Angels moved from LA
Wrigley Field to the Dodgers home until 1965. Since the Angels
founding in 1960 the team had studied numerous sites in Southern
California to possibly construct a ballpark. The team decided
that their future was in Anaheim. A 140 acre site was chosen
here because of its proximity to major freeways and Disneyland. On August
31, 1964 construction began on Anaheim Stadium. With the move to
Anaheim, the team changed its name from the Los Angeles Angels to
the California Angels. After a work stoppage and strikes, Anaheim
Stadium was completed on time. The Angels played their first game at
Anaheim Stadium on April 19, 1966 against the Chicago White Sox. The
three tier stadium had 43,204 seats that stretched from the right
field foul pole to homeplate and around to the left field foul pole.
Escalators, elevators and ramps helped fans get to the multi-colored
seats. Anaheim Stadium instantly became known as the "Big A",
because of the A-frame scoreboard that was behind the outfield wall.
The $1 million, 230 feet tall scoreboard was the largest built at the
time. It was topped with a giant halo. Original dimensions at
Anaheim Stadium
were 333 ft. (left), 404 ft. (center), and 333 ft. (right). The
first of two renovations to Anaheim Stadium occurred in 1979 when the
Los Angeles Rams (NFL) moved to Anaheim. The stadium was enclosed,
increasing the capacity to 65,158. A new scoreboard was installed on
the facade of the outfield roof because the "Big A" was moved to the
parking lot. New executive and
media boxes, and a new sound system
was added.
 By
the 1990s the Angels wanted a baseball only stadium,
no longer wanting a multiple sport stadium or venue extensively used as an
entertainment center.
The team was open to renovating
or reconfiguring the stadium. Without a renovated Anaheim Stadium, the
Angels discussed possibly moving to another location in Southern
California such as Long Beach. In January 1994 the stadium suffered $4
million in damage from the Northridge earthquake. The 17.5 ton Sony Jumbotron broke from the top of the stadium roof in
left field crashing into the upper deck and destroying 800 seats. After
the 1994 NFL season, the Rams moved to St. Louis, leaving Anaheim
Stadium with one tenant, thus allowing the Angels to reconfigure the
stadium back to baseball only. The Disney Corporation bought the Angels in
1996, agreeing to pay for 70% of the $100 million renovation project.
In 1996 renovations began with the removal of all the outfield seats
with construction continuing throughout the 1996 and 1997 seasons. Parts
of the stadium remained closed during the 1997 season decreasing the
capacity to 33,000 as seats behind homeplate and the entire club
level were closed.
Today replacing the 20,000 seats in the outfield
are bleacher seats, a video display board, an out of town scoreboard
below the right field seats and bullpens. In left centerfield is the
"California spectacular" where geysers erupt and a stream cascades down
a mountainside covered with real trees and artificial rocks. All of the
multicolored seats were replaced by green seats. The exterior of the
stadium was renovated
as the concrete structure and ramps were painted
green and a gathering plaza was constructed outside the stadium with two giant
Angel
hats. Anaheim Stadium was renamed Edison International Field in
1997 after a deal was completed with Edison International Power for the
naming rights. With a new capacity of approximately 45,113, the
renovated stadium was completed by April 1, 1998. The ballpark has many
amenities including
the Pepsi Perfect Game Pavilion, dugout level seating, and three club
restaurants: The Knot Hole Club (sports bar located on the club level
down the right filed line), The Diamond Club (an upscale restaurant with
outdoor seating), and the Homeplate Club (overlooks the main entrance of
the ballpark). After the 2003 season Edison International and the Angels
ended the naming rights agreement. The stadium is now known as Angel
Stadium of Anaheim. Today, Angel Stadium has the look and feel of all of
the other retro ballparks built within the past 20 years. The stadium
has all the amenities and entertainment options that any fan would want.
A visit to Angel Stadium is a must for any fan.
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FACTS & FIGURES
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-Tenant: Los Angeles
Angels
-Capacity:
45,113
-Surface:
Grass
-Cost: $24 Million, $117 Million (renovations)
-Opened:
April 19, 1966
-Dimensions:
330-L, 387-LC, 400-C, 370-RC, 330-R
-Architect:
N. Herzberg, R. Stern
-Owner: City of Anaheim
-Former Name(s): Anaheim Stadium (1966-'97), Edison Int'l Field
('97-2003) |
-Naming Rights: None - Named after the Angels
-Public Financing: 100% (original), 25% (renovations) at
$30 million
-Private Financing: $75% (renovations) at $87million
-Angel Stadium Seating Chart
-Home Dugout: Third Base
-Angel Stadium Ground
Rules
-Directions & Parking
-Fan Experiences |
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CURRENT WEATHER AT ANGEL
STADIUM
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MAP & DIRECTIONS TO
ANGEL STADIUM
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Address:
2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92806
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HOTELS NEAR ANGEL
STADIUM
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MEMORABLE MOMENTS
AT ANGEL STADIUM
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World
Series: 2002
All Star Game Site: 1967, 1989 & 2010
Don
Sutton's 300th career win on June 18, 1986
George
Brett's 3,000 hit on September 30, 1992.
Two no
hitters by Nolan Ryan in 1974 and 1975.
Reggie
Jackson's 500th career homerun.
No-hitter
by pitcher Jered Weaver on May 2, 2012.
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